Fireplace plug

ABSTRACT

There is provided, in combination, a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle, and a fireplace flue sealing device. The fireplace flue sealing device has an inflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeable material. The top portion and the bottom portion are sealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-like member for retaining pressurized air therebetween. The bag-like member has a selectively slitable, sealed area extending from the outer periphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area. The bag-like member is sized and shaped to sealingly engage the fireplace below the flue thereof when inflated. There is also a closable conduit communicating with the bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a fireplace flue sealing device, commonlyknown as a fireplace plug, for stopping air leakage through fireplaceflues, and, in particular, for stopping air leakage through zeroclearance fireplaces.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional fireplace plugs for fireplace flues, as in U.S. Pat. No.4,649,896 by Formosa, have included an inflatable, air impermeable,bag-like member having a top and a bottom of a flexible material, sealedtogether about an outer periphery. The member has a plurality ofselectively slitable sealed areas for permitting a damper handle to passthrough one of the areas. The top and the bottom are sealed togetherabout each of the areas. A closable conduit communicates with the memberfor admitting pressurized air into the member.

A disadvantage of previous fireplace plugs is their inability toaccommodate a wide variety of fireplace sizes, and in particular, thelimited range of adjustment necessary to accommodate variouszero-clearance fireplaces. The combination of various zero-clearancefireplace sizes and the location of the damper handle have made previousfireplace plugs unuseable for many configurations.

Another disadvantage of previous fireplace plugs is the lack ofconvenience associated with these plugs during installation.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided, incombination, a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle, and afireplace flue sealing device. The fireplace flue sealing device has aninflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of aflexible, air impermeable material. The top portion and the bottomportion are sealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-likemember for retaining pressurized air therebetween. The bag-like memberhas a selectively slitable sealed area extending from the outerperiphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area.The bag-like member is sized and shaped to sealingly engage thefireplace below the flue thereof when inflated. There is also a closableconduit communicating with the bag-like member for admitting pressurizedair into the bag-like member.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided, incombination, a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle, and afireplace flue sealing device. The fireplace flue sealing device has aninflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of aflexible, air impermeable material. The top portion and the bottomportion are sealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-likemember for retaining pressurized air therebetween. The bag-like memberhas a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area which has a propdevice engagement means for engaging a prop device that supports thefireplace sealing device. There is also a closable conduit communicatingwith the bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-likemember.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided, incombination, a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle, atelescoping prop device having a first end and a second end oppositethereof, and a fireplace flue sealing device. The fireplace flue sealingdevice has an inflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottomportion of a flexible, air impermeable material. The top portion and thebottom portion are sealed together about an outer periphery of thebag-like member for retaining pressurized air therebetween. The bag-likemember has a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area having aprop device engagement means for engaging the telescoping prop device.There is also a closable conduit communicating with the bag-like memberfor admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided of sealing a fireplace having a damper with a damper handlefrom air-leakages comprising the steps of providing a fireplace fluesealing device which has an inflatable bag-like member with a topportion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeable material,the top portion and the bottom portion are sealed together about anouter periphery of the member for retaining pressurized airtherebetween, the bag-like member has a centrally located, sealed,non-inflatable area having a prop device engagement means for engaging aprop device that sustains the fireplace sealing device, the bag-likemember has a selectively slitable sealed area extending from the outerperiphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area,and a closable conduit communicating with the member for admittingpressurized air into the member, partially inflating the bag-like memberusing the conduit, slitting the selectively slitable sealed areaaccording to the placement of the damper handle and thereby providing aslit and a first portion of the bag-like member and a second portion ofthe bag-like member on opposite sides of the slit, inserting thebag-like member using the telescoping prop device into the fireplacesuch that the damper handle extends through the slit, overlapping thefirst portion and the second portion of the bag like member toaccommodate the size of the fireplace, and inflating the bag-like memberusing the conduit to ensure a proper seal with the fireplace.

An advantage of the present invention is the novel use of overlappingportions enabling the fireplace plug of the present invention toaccommodate a wide variety of fireplace and flue sizes.

The telescoping prop device of the present invention advantageouslyallows consumers to conveniently install the fireplace plug infireplaces of various dimensions, without having to over-extend, andpossibly injure, themselves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example,with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a fireplace having a fireplace pluginstalled according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the fireplace plug of FIG. 1 shown in adeflated configuration;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a telescoping prop device of the fireplaceplug of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fireplace plug of FIG. 1 shown in aninflated and inverted configuration; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fireplace plug of FIG. 1 shown in analternative inflated and inverted configuration.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a sectional view is shown of a fireplace 10 havinga flue 12. A damper 14 is located near the bottom of the flue 12 and isfitted with a damper handle 16. The invention provides a fireplace plug,indicated generally by reference numeral 20, for preventing drafts andair leakages through the flue 12 of the fireplace 10. The plug 20 iscompressively in place at the top of the fireplace 10 adjacent the flue12 and accommodates the damper handle 16 accordingly.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the fireplace plug 20 has an inflatablebag-like member 22 having a top portion 24 and a bottom portion 26. Thetop and bottom member are made of a flexible, air impermeable materialsuch as vinyl or a polyurethane film.

The fireplace plug 20 has an outer periphery 28 where the top portion 24and the bottom portion 26 are sealed together to retain pressurized airtherebetween. It may be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 that the plug 20 issubstantially elliptical in shape in this example, but can be differentshapes in other examples.

The bag-like member 22 has a centrally located, non-inflatable, flatarea 30, which is substantially circular in this example, but does notneed to be in other examples. The flat area 30 is also of vinyl in thisexample and has a pair of loops 32 connected thereto.

There is also a selectively slitable, sealed, elongated, flat areaindicated generally by reference numeral 34 in the bag-like member 22extending from the periphery 28 towards the central flat area 30. Theelongated flat area 34 has a narrow elongated portion 38 and a roundportion 36 at an end of the narrow elongated portion near the centralflat member 30.

There are portions 70 and 72 of the bag-like member 22 on opposite sidesof the elongated flat area 34. The portions 70 and 72 can overlap eachother when the narrow elongated portion 38 of the elongated flat area 34is slit.

The elongated flat area 34 is sealed when the plug 20 is supplied to theconsumer, but is slitable by the consumer along the narrow elongatedportion 38. The narrow elongated portion 38 is slit substantially enoughin order to accommodate the position of the damper handle 16 in thefireplace 10.

In some situations, the narrow elongated portion 38 is slitsubstantially enough in order to accommodate, not only the damper handle16, but also to allow the overlapping of the portions 70 and 72. Thisadvantageously allows the fireplace plug 20 to accommodate fireplaces ofa wide variety of dimensions.

The bag-like member 22 has a closable conduit 40 for communicatingpressurized air into the inflatable, bag-like member 22. The closableconduit 40 is connected to the bag-like member 32 at a junction 42.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an exploded view of atelescoping prop device generally indicated by reference numeral 50. Thetelescoping prop device 50 has a first tubular member 52, a secondtubular member 54 and a retainer member 56. The retainer member 56 istapered towards the first tubular member 52. In use the second tubularmember 54 is telescopically received through retainer member 56 andwithin the first tubular member 52. To fix the telescopic position ofthe second tubular member 54 along the first tubular member 52, theretainer member 56 is slidingly wedged into the first tubular member 52,thereby press-fitting the second tubular member 54 to the first tubularmember 52.

There is also a t-shaped member 58 connected to one end 60 of the firstmember 52. The t-shaped member has a first end 62 and an a second end 64opposite thereto. The first and second ends 62 and 64 are received byrespective loops 32 of the central flat area 30 as best seen in FIGS. 4and 5.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of the fireplaceplug 10 in an inflated configuration. The telescoping prop device 50 isconnected to the loops 32 of the flat area 30. The portions 70 and 72 ofthe bag-like member 22 are not overlapping in this configuration. Theelongated narrow portion 38 of the elongated flat area 34 is slitaccordingly to accommodate the damper handle 16.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of the fireplaceplug 10 in an alternative inflated configuration. In this configuration,the elongated narrow portion 38 of the elongated flat area 34 has beenslit substantially enough to allow the portions 70 and 72 of thebag-like member 22 to overlap. The overlapping portions 70 and 72 allowthe plug to accommodate fireplaces of different sizes.

To install the fireplace plug 20 the consumer partially inflates thebag-like member 22 in order to give it a resilient shape. The consumercan either use his or her own lung power by blowing into the conduit 40to inflate the bag-like member 22, or can use a pump connected to theend of the conduit 40. The conduit is then closed to prevent thepressurized air from escaping.

The consumer then adjusts the telescoping prop device 50 to anappropriate length by unscrewing member 56, telescopically adjustingmembers 52 and 54 and then tightening member 56, and then uses thetelescoping prop device 50 to insert the bag-like member 22 into andnear the top of the fireplace 10 near the flue 12. The elongated narrowportion 38 of the elongated flat member 34 is slit so that the damperhandle 16 extends therethrough in a relaxed manner.

The portions 70 and 72 on either side of the slit, elongated narrowportion 38 of the elongated flat member 34 may be overlapped in order toaccommodate the dimensions of the fireplace. The bag-like member 22 canbe further inflated to ensure a snug fit.

The telescoping prop device supports the bag-like member 22 bycontacting the bottom of the fireplace 10, and thereby providingadditional sealing force for the bag-like member 22 around the damper14.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modificationsmay be made within the scope of the appended claims.

1. In combination: a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle; and afireplace flue sealing device having an inflatable bag-like member witha top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, air impermeablematerial, the top portion and the bottom portion being sealed togetherabout an outer periphery of the bag-like member for retainingpressurized air therebetween, the bag-like member having a selectivelyslitable sealed area extending from the outer periphery towards thecentrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area, the bag-like memberbeing sized and shaped to sealingly engage the fireplace below the fluethereof when inflated, and a closable conduit communicating with thebag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member.2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bag-like memberfurther includes a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area havinga prop device engagement means for engaging a prop device that supportsthe fireplace sealing device
 3. The combination as claimed in claim 1,wherein the bag-like member is substantially elliptical in shape.
 4. Thecombination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the selectively slitablesealed area comprises a round end portion and a narrow elongatedportion.
 5. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the conduitincludes an elongated hose.
 6. In combination: a fireplace having a flueand a damper handle; and a fireplace flue sealing device having aninflatable bag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of aflexible, air impermeable material, the top portion and the bottomportion being sealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-likemember for retaining pressurized air therebetween, the bag-like memberhaving a centrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area having a propdevice engagement means for engaging a prop device that supports thefireplace sealing device, and a closable conduit communicating with thebag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-like member.7. The combination as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bag-like memberfurther includes a selectively slitable sealed area extending from theouter periphery towards the centrally located, sealed, non-inflatablearea, the bag-like member being sized and shaped to sealingly engage thefireplace below the flue thereof when inflated.
 8. The combination asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the prop device engagement means comprises apair of loops that are affixed to the non-inflatable area.
 10. Thecombination as claimed in claim 6, wherein the bag-like member issubstantially elliptical in shape.
 11. The combination as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the conduit includes an elongated hose.
 12. Incombination: a fireplace having a flue and a damper handle; atelescoping prop device having a first end and a second end oppositethereof; and a fireplace flue sealing device having an inflatablebag-like member with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible,air impermeable material, the top portion and the bottom portion beingsealed together about an outer periphery of the bag-like member forretaining pressurized air therebetween, the bag-like member having acentrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area having a prop deviceengagement means for engaging the telescoping prop device, and aclosable conduit communicating with the bag-like member for admittingpressurized air into the bag-like member.
 13. The combination as claimedin claim 12, wherein the bag-like member further includes a selectivelyslitable sealed area extending from the outer periphery towards thecentrally located, sealed, non-inflatable area, the bag-like memberbeing sized and shaped to sealingly engage the fireplace below the fluethereof when inflated.
 14. A method of sealing a fireplace having adamper with a damper handle from air-leakages comprising the steps:providing a fireplace flue sealing device having an inflatable bag-likemember with a top portion and a bottom portion of a flexible, airimpermeable material, the top portion and the bottom portion beingsealed together about an outer periphery of the member for retainingpressurized air therebetween, the bag-like member having a centrallylocated, sealed, non-inflatable area having a prop device engagementmeans for engaging a prop device that sustains the fireplace sealingdevice, the bag-like member having a selectively slitable sealed areaextending from the outer periphery towards the centrally located,sealed, non-inflatable area, and a closable conduit communicating withthe bag-like member for admitting pressurized air into the bag-likemember; partially inflating the bag-like member using the conduit;slitting the selectively slitable sealed area according to the placementof the damper handle and thereby providing a slit and a first portion ofthe bag-like member and a second portion of the bag-like member onopposite sides of the slit; inserting the bag-like member using thetelescoping prop device into the fireplace such that the damper handleextends through the slit; overlapping the first portion and the secondportion of the bag like member to accommodate the size of the fireplace;and inflating the bag-like member using the conduit to ensure a properseal with the fireplace.